VAN VEEN GOES FROM BEER-SOAKED FAN TO PREMIER LEAGUE HEADLINER

GIAN VAN VEEN has gone from being drenched in flying BEER in the Rotterdam stands… to Dutch No.1 headlining the Premier League.

The Giant first experienced the chaos of Rotterdam back in 2016, when he went to watch the legendary Raymond van Barneveld as a 14-year-old. 

The reigning European Champ admits back then playing on that stage wasn’t even on his radar. 

Van Veen’s rapid rise has seen him reach four nightly finals in this year’s Premier League, leaving him fifth in the table and firmly in the hunt for a play-off spot at London’s O2. 

He said: “Not at all, probably not even turning up as a player let alone Dutch No.1.

“So much has happened in the past year. I never thought I would be here. It is a dream come true. 

“I had a great night and I was drenched in beer after two hours because after every 180 everyone was throwing their beer all over the place. 

“It was a very fun night. I was there with my family for the first time when I was 14 years old.” 

Over the past 12 months, Van Veen has enjoyed a stunning rise, lifting his maiden ProTour title, reaching the World Championship final and winning a PDC Premier event. 

But the lanky Dutchman insists he still sees compatriot Michael van Gerwen as the top dog in the Netherlands, despite leapfrogging him in the Order of Merit. 

He added: “For myself I was No.1 through the rankings but I said it at the World Championships as well — when I overtook him I still feel like Michael is the Dutch No.1 because of all the titles he has won and all the things he has done for the sport in my country.” 

Van Veen admits he hasn’t reached his top form over the last of weeks after coming back from a Kidney Stones op. 

But the 23-year-old slinger knows he still can make Finals Night as a tough test against Luke Humphries awaits. 

He continued: “I think everybody would agree I am not playing the best darts that I can in the past couple of weeks. 

“But I am still in the mix and that is what matters most. Last week it was a crucial game against Michael which didn’t go my way. 

“I have another important one tomorrow against Luke Humphries. He is only one point behind me so he can overtake me. 

“It is my goal to get to the O2 so it will be an important one.” 

Van Veen says he does not feel the need to have a conversation with Luke Littler following their spat on night nine of the tournament in Manchester, but insists there are no hard feelings between the pair. 

He explained: “It is a difficult one. For myself, not really [I don’t need a conversation]. He said his piece the other day. I still have the same view as I had two weeks ago when it all happened. 

“If he wants to bury the hatchet, then fine. I don’t have any hard feelings towards him and I don’t know how it is the other way around, but we will see how it goes.” 

“He has got his opinion and he is entitled to it. I still have mine. 

“I have looked back at it, I have seen the videos and I still stand by my opinion. 

“It is what it is and we just have to go forward with it. 

“Of course, I am looking forward to the next time I’m playing him. He will probably be fired up even more, he will probably average 110 or 112 against me but that is how good he is.

“I am especially looking forward to playing him next, hopefully tomorrow. 

“For sure [we can be friends in the future]. Like I said, there is no hard feelings from my side. 

“It all happened in the heat of the moment and he has got his opinion, I have got mine, that is how it goes.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.